From The Senate Floor: Ted Cruz Nordstream 2 Sanctions Debate

As the Senate takes its recess here are the main arguments on the Ted Cruz (R-TX) sanctions bill.

• Senator Rand Paul (R-KY): Ted Cruz unable to give adequate answers regarding how sanctions would be lifted. Sanctions can only work as diplomatic tool with Germany onboard. The threat of sanctions has power but the sanctions imposed without defined goals squanders that power. The Cruz bill is about mercantilism rather than national security.
• Senator John Barrasso (R-WY): Russia uses energy as a geopolitical tool. Putin respects strength over statements. Nordstream 2 transfers wealth from US allies to Russia.
• Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK): Nordstream 2 sanctions are a continuation of long standing bipartisan US foreign policy which started under Clinton administration. Russian gas exports to Europe should be stopped. The US should prioritise the Southern Corridor pipelines (through Caspian, Caucasus and Balkan regions). US LNG should be a replacement for Russian gas. Undermining Putin regime should be primary goal of US foreign policy.